Temporary teachers cry foul

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Friday May 20, 2011 00:00

The teachers have not been paid their April salaries. But one of the teachers explained the problem has nothing to do with the strike because this is what 'we are subjected to every month'. 

He revealed that they are paid late every month, but this month it has been worse.  The teacher added that they do not know when they are going to receive their April salaries because we are already in the middle of May'.

He said Ministry of Education and Skills Development officials in Selebi-Phikwe always throw them from pillar to post. The teacher said when they inquired about their salaries they were told that the officer who was supposed to process their entitlements was on leave.  At some stage, he said, they were informed that the revenue officers had gone on strike. 

However, he said, this was untrue because this has been occurring every month.  The teacher said they are paid late, sometimes around the 10th of the following month. 

He added that in other regions, temporary teachers are paid on time.  The teacher said they are in trouble because they have not paid their rentals and might lose their accommodation.

He said they do not have money to buy groceries and even to pay for transport. A senior education official based in Serowe, who is also covering the Selebi-Phikwe region, Marcos Maeza, said the temporary teachers have not been paid because of the ongoing public officers' strike.  He said the officers who are supposed to prepare the payment vouchers have gone on strike.

However, arrangements have been made so that the temporary teachers can be paid by Tuesday.  He said the teachers would get their cheques at least by 12.00 on Tuesday.

Maeza said he was not aware that the teachers have been receiving their salaries late but pointed out that temporary teachers were only appointed last month.  However, contrary to Maeza's claims, some of the temporary teachers have been working since last year.